India protests soldiers' killing, Pak calls for third party probe

New Delhi: India has lodged a strong protest of the serious ceasefire violations and mutilation of two Indian soldiers by Pakistan. India also summoned Pakistan's High Commissioner, Salman Bashir, and Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai talked tough over Tuesday's deadly ambush and the dishonouring of the Indian martyrs.

The Pakistani envoy was told that the soldiers of the neighbouring country have violated all norms of international conduct, even as India asked for an investigation into the unprovoked attack. Taking a tougher stand, India warned Pakistan of consequences if it did not respect the ceasefire.

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said, "The violation of ceasefire is of great concern...if not immediately contained, it will have an adverse impact (on the relations between the two countries)."

Taking a tough stand, India warned Pakistan of consequences if it did not respect the ceasefire.

In New Delhi, the aggression and the subsequent rebuff by Pakistan was received poorly. With a pulse on public sentiment, political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress, also began pressurising the government for a firm response.

"The government must now be very firm with Pakistan. This is a warning as far as India is concerned...the red line between the relations with Pakistan must be drawn clearly now," said senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley.